Complaint Review: Better Business Bureau

Many who visit your site will be wondering how this could be true. It would seem to be heresy to defame the BBB. However, for years I have been disturbed by the BBB saying the record of the company is "satisfactory" when I know the company is corrupt. In 1981, when I complained to the BBB about a corrupt mechanic that ripped me off, the BBB sent a copy of their letter to the mechanic. One of the things it said was "knowing that the customer isn't always right". what?!! SAy again?? Pardon, your slip is showing. The customer is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS right? Comprende?? We ALL know that. We pay the salary of the companies in business.

I continued to be disturbed by BBB statements that they do not prosecute, did not sent copies of companies responses, etc, for years. Now ripoffreport.com, has cleared the air. Now it is clear. One of the sponsors of a BBB event {as listed in the column some where} is AT&T. AT&T has become on the most vile, ruthlessly corrupt companies in the past 25 years. It is far, far cry from the "Ma Bell" that took care of my great-grandfather, grandfather and my father.

The following is what the BBB originally mailed to me when I had a dispute with AT&T, which is still ongoing. The first is an e-mail from the NJ BBB showing that AT&T has an unsatisfactory record and why. The second is what I found on the bbb.org website two months ago. Comparing this with the e-mail from the NJ BBB will show that it was not possible for AT&T to resolve all the complaints lodged against them. AT&T has overcharged many customers, myself included. What they did was lying and deliberate promise breaking. Others have been defrauded by AT&T and have suffered much more hardship and harassment than I have.

Also, it pretty obvious that AT&T had more complaints vs. them than the NJ BBB and that the number of resolved complaints vs. AT&T have been inflated. And the BBB lied!! The e-mail I received stated clearly: "We will be reporting to consumers that the company has an unsatisfactory>business performance record with the Better Business Bureau of New Jersey." The e-mail is not very neat, but I am leaving in the original condition so that all can peruse that it is genuine. The public can check out that this is a genuine e-mail addressed to me regarding the fact that I turned AT&T in to the BBB in an effor to make those shysters behave and make restitution.

I hasten to add that the "records" regarding AT&T have been transferred to Atlanta, GA. But all the complaints have supposedly been resolved!! The chances of this is so remote that we can safely say that the BBB bore false witness. There were thousands of complaints. The BBB simply artificially lowered the number of complaints:
" The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB. "
We will let the readers determine whether it was in the realm of possibility for AT&T to resolve all the fraud, lies, stealing, broken promises and extortion charges vs. that evil, sodomite corporation.

The BBB expunged all of the complaints from the record. Any one checking out AT&T with the bureau now will not see all those investigations and charges by the attorney generals of several States !!! The BBB must go. The bad they are doing is immeasurably more than the good. They are misleading potential customers. They are tantamountly directly prospective customers of good companies to bad companies. The reporting and subsequent expunging of AT&T's stealing, extortion and nefarious practices follows for the perusal of all:

Thank you for contacting the Better Business Bureau of New Jersey. We >closed>your complaint with AT&T on 1/26/06 with no response from the business. >your>complaint>was been closed as "Unanswered".>> We will be reporting to consumers that the company has an unsatisfactory>business performance record with the Better Business Bureau of New Jersey.>>To pursue your complaint, please contact Federal Communications Commission>888 225-5322; 2025 M.Street N.W., Room 6202, Washington, DC 20554>>When a BBB receives a complaint, we present the complaint to the business>and request its assistance in working out the problem with the unhappy>customer.

Most companies are grateful for the opportunity to resolve>problems with their customers since it often means their patronage will be>preserved.>>BBB members agree to respond to consumer complaints presented by the BBB,>and lose their membership if they do not. Most other companies, regardless>of whether they are BBB members, also cooperate with the BBB.>>

However, some companies do not want to work with the Bureau and/or their>customers to resolve complaints.Because the BBB is not a government or law>enforcement agency, the Bureau cannot force a reply from a company; nor can>it administer sanctions. However, a company's unwillingness to respond to>the BBB or a customer will be noted in the company's reliability report the>BBB provides to the public. The customer is free to pursue other>alternatives such as legal action.>>

Following is AT&T's BBB reliability report, which shows an "unsatisfactory">record:>>AT&T>900 Route 202/206>Bedminster, NJ 07921>View Location Map>>>>Local Phone Number: (800) 222-0300>Membership Status: This company is not a member.>TOB Classification: Telephone Service-Long Distance>Additional>TOB Classification(s): >Advertising-Telephone>Internet Services>Telephone Companies>> The information in this report has either been provided by the company, or>has been compiled by the Bureau from other sources.>Customer Experience>Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the>Bureau due to unanswered and unresolved complaints. The company has >resolved>most complaints presented by the Bureau, however, some complaints remain>unresolved or unanswered.>>When evaluating complaint information, please consider the company's size>and volume of business.

The number of complaints filed against the company>may not be as important as the type of complaints and how the company>handled them.>>Closed Complaints>Number of complaints processed by the BBB in last 36 Months: 6171>Number of complaints processed by the BBB in last 12 months: 1013>>Complaints Concerned>Advertising Issues: 37>Outcome of all complaints ->Resolved: 21; Unresolved: 1; Company did not respond:>15>>Sales Issues: 2394>Outcome of all complaints ->Resolved: 1485; Unresolved: 62; Company did not>respond: 847>>Delivery Issues: 10>Outcome of all complaints ->Resolved: 6; Company did not respond: 4>>

Repair or Service Issues: 14>Outcome of all complaints ->Resolved: 7; Unresolved: 1; Company did not respond: 6>>
Guarantee or Warranty Issues: 5>Outcome of all complaints ->Resolved: 3; Unresolved: 1; Company did not respond: 1>>

Product Quality Issues: 10>Outcome of all complaints ->Resolved: 6; Unresolved: 1; Company did not respond: 3>>Refund or Exchange Issues: 208>Outcome of all complaints ->Resolved: 152; Unresolved: 6; Company did not respond:>49; Unpursuable: 1>>

Contract Issues: 13>Outcome of all complaints ->Resolved: 11; Company did not respond: 2>>Customer Service Issues: 528>Outcome of all complaints ->Resolved: 354; Unresolved: 28; Delayed Resolution: 3;>Company did not respond: 143>>

Credit or Billing Issues: 2952>Outcome of all complaints ->Resolved: 2037; Unresolved: 237; Delayed Resolution: 1;>Company did not respond: 676; Unpursuable: 1>>>>

Additional Business Names>>AT&T Communications Systems>AT&T Equipment Division>AT&T World Net Service.>>Additional Telephone Numbers>>(800) 222-0300.>>Government Actions>>On Dec. 2, 2002 the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance was>entered between the Commonwealth of Kentucky and AT&T Consumer>Services.

The Commonwealth alleges that from July 16, 2002 to>October 14, 2002 the company made or caused to be made>unsolicited telephone calls to Kentucky residential phone>numbers that appear on the current Zero Call List, aka as No>Call list. AT&T denied any willful wrongdoing and agreed to>cease making telephone solicitations to Kentucky residential>phone numbers on the Zero Call List and agreed to pay the>civil penalty assessed.>>

On May 5, 2004 Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist filed a>lawsuit in Leon County Circuit Court. Crist says AT&T>wrongfully billed consumers for unsolicited services and tried>to coerce them to sign up for the same services for which they>were requesting refunds. The AG urges Florida consumers to>diligently check their phone bills, regardless of whether they>use AT&T or another company for long distance services. Crist>asks consumers to report the incident to his office at>866-966-7226.>>

On May 24, 2004 A Florida court has ordered AT&T to refund>wrongful charges to Florida consumers no later than June 15.>According to the order issued by Leon County Circuit Judge,>AT&T must process these refunds based on the company's>internal records so that consumer do not have to call to>request refunds. If, however, after June 15 Florida consumers>believe they are still being improperly billed or unfairly>coerced into additional services when calling AT&T to request>refunds, they should notify the Attorney General's Office>immediately at 1 866-9-NO-SCAM (1 866-966-7226).>>

On May 6, 2004 Minnesota Attorney General filed suit against>AT&T. The suit claims the company violated state consumer>protection laws. It seeks an injunction to force AT&T to stop>the billing practice of charging non AT&T customers.>About 800,000 consumers nationwide have been erroneously billed. AT&T is promising refunds or credits in 60-90 days,>even if consumers do not call to complain. Consumers who want>to talk to an AT&T representative can call 1- 800 222-0300.>>

July 1, 2004 according to New York Attorney General Eliot>Spitzer, AT&T has agreed to pay refunds to as many as 311,000>New Yorkers who were improperly billed. As part of the>settlement, AT&T Communications of New York will also reform>its billing procedures, provide consumers with additional>information on telephone services and pay $400,000 in penalties>and costs. Consumers have 45 days during which they may>register a complaint and request reimbursement from the>company.>>

On August 4, 2004 Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers filed an>amendment to a 2003 agreement between AT&T and the Oregon>Department of Justice. The amendment to the year-old settlement>concerned a new monthly fee that was allegedly tacked onto>consumers' established pay-per-call plans without giving proper>notice.

The Assurance of Voluntary Compliance amendment was>filed in Marion County Circuit Court and admits no violation of>law. Under the AVC amendment, AT&T is required to do the>following:>>- Send a written notification to all Oregon consumers who>discontinue their service that they also must contact their>local telephone company. The notice must be sent within 15>days of notice of termination.>>- Send a written notice to all Oregon consumers billed for the>Basic Rate Long Distance Plan after January 1, 2004,>explaining the new recurring monthly fee, the necessity to>cancel services with both the long distance carrier and their>local telephone company, and the process and telephone number>for the consumer to use to inquire about receiving a credit>or refund.>>-

Provide restitution in the form of credits or refunds based>upon an agreed formula for up to 77,000 Oregonians.>Submit restitution disputes that may arise from the agreed>formula to the PUC customer services for resolution.>Provide a separate toll-free number that consumers must call>to inquire about credits or refunds and to notify AT&T that>they have cancelled their AT&T service with their local>telephone company.>>AT&T has paid Justice $25,000 for its Consumer Protection and>Education fund bringing the long distance carrier's total>payment to the fund under the 2003 AVC to $100,000.>>Report as of: 7/25/2006>>Copyright: 2006 BBB of New Jersey,Inc.>>

As a matter of policy, the Better Business Bureau does not endorse any>product, service, or company. BBB reports generally cover a three-year>reporting period, and are provided solely to assist you in exercising your>own best judgment. Information contained in this report is believed >reliable>but not guaranteed as to accuracy. Reports are subject to change at any>time.>>

The Better Business Bureau reports on members and non-members. Membership >in>the BBB is voluntary, and members must meet and maintain BBB standards. If >a>company is a member of the BBB, it is stated in this report.>>BBB reports may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.>The name Better Business Bureau and the BBB logo are federally registered>trademarks.>>Very truly yours,>>Melissa Companick>Vice President of Operations & Marketing>Better Business Bureau of New Jersey>1700 Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Road, Ste. D-5>Trenton, NJ 08690>609-588-0808 (Phone)>609-588-0546 (Fax)

>www.newjersey.bbb.org>--Original Message-->From: E R Rocky D*** [mailto:(((REDACTED FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)))]>Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 2:16 PM>To: info@trenton.bbb.org>Subject: Ms. Laura Rickenbach>> RE: Your letter dated 6-14-05> Greetings:> The BBB is solely in the business of handling complaints about >companies.>The BBB has served me many, many times before and has served>customers regarding problems caused by companies many 100s>of 1000s of times, if not millions. Therefore, I addressed to the>BBB because it is appropo and the BBB handles these COMPLAINTS>EVERY SINGLE TIME WITHOUT ANY KNOWN EXCEPTION ANYWHERE,>ANYTIME.> Are you trying to say that the BBB of NJ is illegitimate and totally>without merit?!?! There is not the remotest possiblity that my complaint>regarding AT&T is "outside the scope of the Better Business Bureau's>services". Why did you say it? This is all the BBB does AND HAS ALWAYS>DONE. Precisely what phase of the complaint was "outside the scope of>the BBB". If there was something that was "outside the scope of the>BBB", why didn't you itemize it if there really is something??!! I look forward to your very prompt, extremely long and phenomenally>detailed reply. Thank you very much!!>

By the way, I still have no satisfaction from AT&T. They still owe me>money. Please email me a copy of my complaint that I sent to you. Don't>say>you "keep my complaint on file for future reference". Act upon it just>like you always have since your founding! Write AT&T so that they will>know they are causing customer ill-will and cease going to a collection>agency when they in fact owe me money!> AT&T now owes me 250,000 for the lies they told and 30M for the>humiliation of them going to a collection agency when they in fact>owe me money! Thank you:> Rocky D>(((REDACTED FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)))

NOW FOR THE LATEST:
Greetings:
The following is from Trenton. Trention has transferred their records to the Atlanta BBB.
http://newjersey.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Report.aspx?site=89&bbb=0221&firm=15000121
BILLING OR COLLECTION ISSUES
299 - Company resolved BBB Definition:
resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
512 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.

The above is not true. AT&T has not resolved my complaint. First, the BBB of New Jersey said that AT&T had not answered. Later, I discovered on their website that AT&T had a "satisfactory record" with the BBB of NJ. I had to submit my conmplaint over again!! The NJ did contact ATT later and received a response from Mr. Justin Williams:
"Mr. D*** has been informed that the charges were correct". So I documented with the BBB of NJ that the complaints had not been resolved nor even addressed by ATT. I wrote the management, then I wrote some of the members on the Board of Directors. I never received any responses.

The following is also on the Trenton BBB website:
"sales practice issues:
Resolved BBB Definition:
Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
1 - Company resolved BBB Definition:
resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
3 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
9 - Company resolved BBB Definition:
resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues, but not within the BBB's timeframe. "
REFUND OR EXCHANGE ISSUES:
Resolved BBB Definition:
Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
15 - Company resolved BBB Definition:
resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
24 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
21 - Company resolved BBB Definition:
resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues, but not within the BBB's timeframe

Consult the rock
SHANGHAI
China, People's Republic of
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!